Now the blue ticks are also subject to a fee in Germany

Somewhere between menu items such as “Orders and Payments” and “Close Friends”, a new item has entered the profile menu of some Instagram users in Germany: “Instagram Verified” is coming to Germany step by step. Meta is thus expanding its payment model, which started in February 2023 in the USA, internationally.

You can read here what a subscription costs, how the verification process works and whether Apple users pay more than Android users.

A short, of course non-representative survey in the t3n editorial team shows: Meta is gradually rolling out its verified program. There are the users who Instagram already offers the opportunity to buy a blue tick in the monthly subscription, a group who ends up on a waiting list when they click on the corresponding button, and people whose Instagram account has nothing left yet reveals the approaching payment option.

By the way: all the information listed here primarily relates to the mobile version of Instagram, but the same rules should apply to Facebook. In its information on the Verified program, Meta also makes it clear that users must take out their own payment subscription for each platform of the group, the blue tick cannot be transferred.

Unlike when it was launched in the USA, the price for Meta Verified in Germany is the same for Android and iOS: Meta collects EUR 16.99 per month. Payments can be managed via the Google Play Store or via the Apple ID settings. Anyone who has taken out a subscription but then decides against it again can cancel up to 24 hours before the start of the next subscription period.

Meta Verified: How it works

In order to be able to complete a Verified subscription for Instagram, users must meet certain requirements. This includes some activity on the network, such as posted posts and the use of two-factor authentication, which can be set up after payment has been made. In addition, only those who are over 18 years old get a blue tick.

Verification takes place via video selfie and ID document, profile picture and name must be compatible with the official document. If the identification does not work within the first 48 hours after completing the subscription, the fee paid will be refunded according to Meta.

And what is all this for? In addition to the blue tick, Meta promises users of its payment service “proactive identity monitoring” to ensure that accounts are not copied or hijacked. Verified users should also receive faster, German-language support “for most common problems”, according to the terms and conditions, and increased visibility “in certain interfaces, which can include searches, comments and recommendations”. For the fun factor there are exclusive sticker packs on top.

Anyone who has already had a blue tick behind their profile name should probably keep it for a while. Meta writes in his Rollout help area: “Initially, during the trial period, nothing will change for accounts on Instagram that have already been verified based on previous requirements.”